Will Mancini

Auxano is a ministry guided by three values:

1. Clarity First
2. Carnivorous Learning
3. Contagious Passion for the Church, the Bride of Christ

Our second value is anchored by the mantra: Lead with questions, not answers.

To some degree learning comes natural and is guided by human curiosity. But in other ways learning is a skill to be cultivated. As I’ve tried to grow as a learner, I have gained one overarching insight; one great secret:

Learning is a free, daily opportunity to those who seize it.

• Anyone I meet can teach me something
• People always like sharing what they know
• I can ask questions about anything I’m experiencing or observing
• Information has never been more accessible

A fantastic story to illustrate this secret comes from Bob Buford, a student of Peter Drucker. In a recent Leadership Network blog post, he shares this story:

Peter Drucker had an exquisite collection of Japanese painting and calligraphy on scrolls, many housed in museums. Peter took three scrolls out every month to display in his home. We used to stand in front of an ancient Japanese painting with Peter advising me in two words that the way to study art is to “Just Look.”

Twenty years ago, I began doing just that by purchasing used art books from Half Price Books and tearing out three pages every day to pin up on cork board in my walk-in closet where I dress each morning. You can do the same. Just find a used book store (The Strand in NYC) and start pinning up a few reproductions every day or so. Or you can buy a terrific and inexpensive book, titled A Year in Art, which has the great paintings with succinct commentaries. Tear ‘em out and “just look.” It is like a trip to The Met with no excess baggage fees.

I love this story because Bob, although an accomplished man, continuously delights in feeding his mind and growing his perspective.

I ran into this quote yesterday at Next Level Leadership: “When a leader surrenders their willingness to learn, they also surrender their right to lead.”

Stoke your willingness to learn today. It’s free. It’s your choice.

I am grateful for Eric Geiger, and how he can help your church. As the co-author of Simple Church, Eric and Thom Rainer’s writing has had a significant impact on the church in North America.

But Eric is not an author first, but a leader. He was navigated growth from 1200 to over 6000 in worship attendance at Christ Fellowship in Miami as an executive pastor. In addition to his primary work at Christ Fellowship, Eric now serves as a navigator with Auxano. Imagine spending 6-9 months with a ministry design coach like Eric! Here is a post on his blog where he tells his story. As you check out his story, here is an insight into his thinking at Christ Fellowship. The tool is called the Strategy Book- check it out.

Though God has taken us on distinct journeys, Will Mancini and I share common passions birthed from similar God-given burdens. We long for churches to understand their unique identity so they can most effectively bring transformation to their communities, believe a church must be absolutely clear on mission and strategy, and abhor complex programming and directionless sub-ministries that pull a church in a plethora of contradicting directions.

While Will has pleaded with leaders to not settle for “photo-copied” vision, I have challenged leaders to be careful of a “schizophrenic” direction that results from multiple yet varying philosophies that subtly but inevitably erode at the power of a single direction. In other words, we have shared essentially the same message.

Will founded and leads Auxano (from the Greek word which means growth) to help church leaders navigate growth. I am excited to be a part of the incredible team as a “navigator.” On my “day off” from Christ Fellowship, I come alongside a church leadership team once a month for a 6-9 month process to bring clarity around mission, values, and strategy. I am currently in month three of the journey with a great church outside of Philadelphia. The content and insight we provide through Auxano, I believe, is also making be a better leader for my context. So I am very grateful.

Because of my primary role at Christ Fellowship, my time is very limited and I will only be working with a select few churches a year.

If you are a senior/lead or executive pastor who would like more info about working with Eric, email me here.

I had lunch today with Jeff Meyer, lead pastor of “the Church” and lead navigator with Auxano. I asked him to share his Vision Frame to illustrate the power of clarity for everyday pastors.

Jeff is a very intentional leader and is gifted at coaching and consulting churches through their own clarity journey that we call the Vision Pathway. In addition, he is one of the few innovative practitioners with the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) in charting a new course, not just of multi-site, but of serious missional engagement. For example I love Jeff’s switch from “Every member a minister” commodity language to “Every member a missionary.” You might enjoy connecting with Jeff at jeffm@auxano.com or follow him on twitter: pjfire. In addition, he is speaking this week with Alan Hirsch and others at the FiveTwo conference in Houston.

One thing to remember as Jeff shares his four mission measures of “life-marks,” is that each one is broken down into four developmental areas, creating a dashboard with 16 spiritual growth areas.

I am excited to announce the promotion of what has been a “underground marketing team” for the last seven years. Auxano Design is a group of creatives who are dedicated to communicating your vision visually.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that Tim Peters has joined the Auxano team to champion Auxano Design’s unique approach. Tim brings a great deal of experience and creativity in church branding and communications. With Auxano he will both lead navigate and represent our design services with new and potential ministries.

Over  the last seven years Auxano has helped many influential churches with brand development, guidelines and communications.  It was always “under the radar” because we did not want to eclipse our vision work and “clarity first.”  Essentially our team only worked with churches who had gone through our Vision Pathway process. Now, having firmly established our brand in the vision and clarity space, Tim will take Auxano Design to the next level with on-site assessments, communications strategy and coaching.

Take some time to welcome Tim by connecting with him at:

TimPeters.org or follow him on twitter: @timrpeters

It’s always exciting to be at the Exponential Conference. This year Auxano is providing a Vision-casting and Culture-shaping track. If you are going to be there here are some highlights to know about from the vision and clarity angle:

1. Join me and Eric Geiger for a Pre-conference track on How Organic Vision Shapes Culture and Creates Movement. Swing by portable AP1 and say hello to the team.
2. You’re invited to a special After Hours to meet the Auxano team, check out the first release of the Church Unique Vision Kit and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and drinks. We will be talking about how to lead your own vision process. (Doubletree Hotel, 5780 Major, Blvd., Orlando, FL)
3. Meet some new players on our team. In addition to Eric Geiger, Bill Donahue, Tim Peters, David Saathoff, and Bryan Rose have all joined the team in the last year and will be either speaking at or attending the conference.
4. Learn more about the launch of Auxano Design. Tim Peters will be available to talk with you about the connection between vision, branding and communications.

I hope to see you in Orlando this week!